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Barts Health’s e-clinic to go live in Waltham Forest

Article posted on: March 13, 2017

“When reviewing patients, we have access to all of the investigations done in the community, enabling us to provide comprehensive management advice whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication of tests,” said Dr Neil Ashman, Consultant Renal Physician at the trust

Specialist consultants at Barts Health NHS Trust will be able to access electronic medical records and advise GPs

[London, UK] Barts Health NHS Trust’s e-clinic will go live across the Waltham Forest Clinical Commission Group (CCG) area this month, reducing pressures on A&E departments while improving care for patients with kidney disease.

If patients give their consent to share their medical records, health and care professionals at the Royal London Hospital will be able to access the information electronically and advise GPs on what the next steps should be for further treatment.

Barts Health reveals ‘automatic triggers’ were installed to alert GPs as soon as possible in case it is thought any of their patients are at risk of deterioration following assessment of blood test results.

Up to £1m savings across north-east London

“When reviewing patients, we have access to all of the investigations done in the community, enabling us to provide comprehensive management advice whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication of tests. And if people do need to be seen at the hospital, we have more availability in clinics to see them in a timely fashion,” said Dr Neil Ashman, Consultant Renal Physician at the trust.

Initial trials across the Tower Hamlets and Newham, City and Hackney CCG areas showed the e-clinic can potentially reduce waiting times from 15 weeks to only five days.

Additional figures published by Barts Health reveal only one in five patients with kidney disease now need to book face-to-face appointments as consultant nephrologists can access their records electronically at any time once per week; the scheme could reportedly save up to £1m across the north-east London area by reducing the number of GP consultations.